Da4 Mian4

One of the family favorites, reputedly dubbed “da mian” by Doug.

Noodles:

• 4-1/2 cups flour
• 1-1/2 cup cold water

1. Mix and make a dough. Cover with a wet cloth and let it rest for about 1 hour.
2. Roll it to an oval shape, rest for 10 minutes. Roll again to about 1/8 inch thick (#4 on pasta machine). Spread flour on top of the oval shape dough.

3. Fold to about 3-inch wide, fold it to a stack and put dry flour in between.

4. Cut to thin pieces noodle (1/4 inch). Straighten the pieces so they won’t stick together.

5. Boil the noodle for 10 to 12 minutes.

Sauce:

• 3-4 tablespoon oil
• 3 large dry Chinese mushrooms (soaked until soft and then diced)
• 1/4 cup black wood ears (soaked in cold water and then chopped)
• 1/2 onion, diced
• 1 carrot, diced
• 1/2 tablespoon of chopped ginger
• 3/4 pound of ground meat (beef of pork)
• 1 cup of broth or water (include the juice from the mushroom soaking)
• 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of salt (to taste)
• 2 to 3 Tablespoon of soy sauce

1. Heat oil.
2. Add ginger, onion, mushroom and carrot.

3. Add pinch of black pepper.
4. Add ground meat.
5. Add 1 cup of broth or water (include the juice from the mushroom soaking).
6. Add salt.
7. Add soy sauce.